"The designer Jens Quistgaard - A saucepan for my wife" is a new documentary film about Danish designer Jens Quistgaard (1919-2008) who from the mid-1950s introduced Danish Design and Scandinavian Modern in the USA.

Many American's are familiar with Quistgaard's designs, but few have met the man behind. For the first time in this filmed portrait, the designer invites a camera into his own universe. Shooting was carried out over a period of three years, ending only a few months before his death in 2008 at nearly 89. We follow Quistgaard at close range in his unique home; watch him in action at his working table; and we hear him talk of his life, his work and what drives him as a designer.

Casserole "Kobenstyle", enamel on steel, Dansk Designs 1955

In the film he tells the story of his first meeting with the recently deceased, successful American businessman, Ted Nierenberg, who one day in 1954 appears at his studio in Copenhagen. It is a meeting of two personalities, each talented within his own field, and it marks the birth of the company Dansk Designs, where for decades, as chief designer, Quistgaard charted the course with his design lines for table and kitchen - everything from flatware, saucepans and pitchers to glassware, trays, bowls and pepper mills of teak and exotic woods. The idea was to create a sense of aesthetic and functional unity for all objects we place on the table; and Quistgaard's designs put a new and practical stamp on kitchens and tables in many American homes.

Sugar bowls "Smooth Flamestone", Dansk Designs C. 1964

The film shows examples of the breadth and range of his output and includes unique 16 mm clips from the 50s and early 60s from his exhibitions and his architecture in the USA, culminating in the the large and unique house at Armonk north of New York City that he designs for his partner, Ted Nierenberg. Quistgaard designs everything for this house: door handles, bath tubs, newel stair, windows and roof. Completed in 1961, the house stands as a unique testimony to Quistgaard's ideal of architectural unity. Personally he is deeply rooted in the old traditions of craftsmanship, the ship-building of the Vikings, the temples of the Incas, the pottery of the peasants as well as the fashioning of tools, weapons and clothing among Eskimos, American Indians and Bedouins. Quistgaard acknowledges his debt to tradition by translating it into a modern design language with a prominent personal stamp.

Pepper mills in teak, wenge, cocobolo and mutenye. Dansk Designs 1956-61

Today, his best things are icons, and Quistgaard has become a cult figure for younger generations. His designs from the 1950s and 1960s are prized by collectors all around the world, and after his death a number of his designs have once again been put into production.

Pitchers "Kobenstyle, enamel on steel, Dansk Designs 1955

Stig Guldberg is an Associate Professor at Metropolitan University College in Denmark. His educational background is in the History of Ideas, Literature and Design, and he has been National Adviser for the Danish Ministry of Education in the areas of Art and Design for many years. The documentary on Jens Quistgaard marks Stig Guldberg's debut as a film director.

The documentary film by Stig Guldberg is now available on DVD for sale on Amazon.

Royal VKB has developed iD/cutlery with Dutch designers Richard Hutten, Gijs Bakker, Ineke Hans and Japanese Atelier Bow Wow.

Royal VKB is the latest brand from Dutch company, Koninklijke Van Kempen & Begeer. Founded in 1789, Koninklijke Van Kempen & Begeer has made history with stainless steel products and silverware.

iD/cutlery by Richard Hutten Eating is fun and social, so my cutlery has to contribute to the fun of eating. Therefore I created cutlery that is easy to use, playful and no-nonsense. The shapes are essentially geometrical and carry the trademark ‘Hutten-loop’. Use it as a necklace. Hang it on a spike.

iD/cutlery by Gijs Bakker I took a drop of water and flattened the top to create the basic shape for this elegant design. My iD/cutlery combines the looks of a reclined silhouette with a great feel of plasticity and perfect balance. Because I am a big fan of Italian food, I designed the fork with extra long teeth and a perfect hilt for spinning spaghetti.

iD/cutlery by Ineke Han I based my design upon the archetypical shape of cutlery and made it robust and heavy. It may seem plain at first but the backsides are nicely engraved with different patterns as a reference to the lusciously decorated cutlery designs of the past. There’s more than meets the eye.

iD/cutlery by Bow Wow We thought back to more primitive times and imagined the dining table as a landscape where nature prevails. This awakened our awareness of the moment when tools were first discovered and inspired us to use natural elements. We designed this cutlery by combining the minimalistic shapes of branches and leaves. Why not create a different dining landscape by combining the three main pieces to form the shape of a “tipi”.

The final jury of the 'Prix Emile Hermes' has selected 17 projects from the contest theme 'la légèreté au quotidien / everyday lightness', a contest that was launched in 2008 in all the countries in Europe where Hermès has a commercial base.

The aim was to create an object for everyday life - Simplify use - Optimise function - Give material a spirit - Innovate to make everyday life easier - Create intelligent and user-friendly objects.

The jury unanimously decided not to award a first or second prize for this first edition of the Prix Émile Hermès, but rather to award three third-place prizes.

'Bronco' Rocking stool - Simon Lécureux, Switzerland - third-place prize

'Handbag support' Bag carrier - Bastian Goecke, Germany - third-place prize

'Rolling VS Folding' Weekend bag - Francesco Librizzi / Vittorio Venezia, Italy - third-place prize

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At first sight this cup looks like a nice ordinary cup. But be aware! ...it plays a game with it's users.   This is a product of Freaks United, a design firm based in The Netherlands set up in 2006 by designers Jorine Oosterhoff and Egbert-Jan Lam.

'L'union fait la force ?' by Pascal Koch

From November 15 to 30 2008, Saint-Etienne, France will host the tenth edition of the International Design Biennial. An original and unique event in the world of design, created in 1998 by the Saint Etienne School of Art and Design, this Biennial has since it began been bringing together creators of different cultures and professions both French and international.

'Cushionized' Sofa by Christiane Högner (2007)

'The other Belgians' is part of the 'Flight number 10' exhibition which has one area devoted to young European creators and a second area open for people to discover projects from other continents.

'Doppio' Shelf by Claude Velasti

The 'Flight number 10' exhibition looks at Belgium, this country in the heart of Europe whose identity is still developing. Referring to the present geopolitical situation the project suggests a reflection on migratory patterns at the cultural level and in particular on their impact on design and project activity in the broadest sense.

'Self-Healing' Tape by DrawMeaSheep (2006)

This means looking at the multicultural nature of a country where the ideas of belonging and of nation often tend to be championed by those who do not 'belong'. Grandchildren of immigrants, cultural nomads, temporary residents, Belgian citizens with names that suggest a link - active or passive - with other origins; and some 'native' Belgians, first witnesses of the 'non-violent conflict' of multiculturalism.

Flight number 10 > L'Europe des designers (Designers' Europe) > La Belgique des autres (The other Belgians)
November 15-30 2008
Exhibition curated by Giovanna Massoni

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Serafino Zani will be presenting its new collections at Interieur 08.

A new cutlery set has been added to the 'Passami il sale' and 'Al Dente' project, developed as a result of the partnership between Serafino Zani and German designer Konstantin Grcic.

The Festa series, designed by Liliana Bonomi, is a group of steel, wood and porcelain objects that emphasise and enhance the daily task of carrying food to the table.

Designed also by Liliana Bonomi, the Giocorotondo series includes baskets, trays, cakestands, placemats, all made by laser-cutting.

Interieur in Kortrijk from October 17 to 26 2008
Serafino Zani - Hall 1 Stand 133